Oksana Masters (U.S. Paralympics Nordic A-team) during a snowy day in Craftsbury, Vt., at the 2016 U.S. Paralympics Sit Ski Nationals and Global Paralympic Committee (IPC) Continental Cup in early January. (Photo: John Lazenby/Lazenbyphoto.com)
When an athlete finishes a World Cup season undefeated, it is not just a win for the athlete, it is a win for their teammates as well.
Right after U.S. Paralympics Nordic sit skier Oksana Masters completed the 2015/2016 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Cup race season as the undefeated victor in the cross-country occasions, from the 1-kilometer sprints to the debut of the twenty k marathon event, her success was observed as one particular for and from the group.
“Oksana is an remarkable athlete and I have been privileged to be a [element] of her cross nation skiing occupation because she started the sport,” her teammate Andy Soule wrote in an email.
“We have both become much better skiers by studying from one particular yet another and training with each other,” Soule extra. “She is tough-functioning, motivated, and a joy to be close to as a teammate and as a individual and it can make me amazingly pleased to see her getting the level of success she had had these past couple of many years.”
Final week at IPC World Cup Finals in Vuokatti, Finland, Masters raced to three wins in a row, like the cross-country sitting sprint, but she didn’t allow it get to her head.
“It [was] the final sprint of the season and I didn’t want to leave something behind!” Masters, of Louisville, Ky., told Within the Games.
During the season, nobody came close to the 26-year-previous Masters in the cross-country occasions. In accordance to a U.S. Paralympics press release, nearly eight seconds separated her from her closest competitor in the sprint, and more than 28 seconds separated her from the field in the middle distance five k.
“Oksana brought extraordinary consistency to her racing this season,” U.S. large-overall performance coach Eileen Carey wrote in an e-mail to FasterSkier. “We had longer travel to our Planet Cups this season than is common, so high quality recovery was hard to come by at occasions. Oksana manufactured gains this winter in creating sensible decisions for her recovery and well being, even when it meant backing off from training. She made a few errors early in the winter, education by means of some sickness, but she realized from it and manufactured smarter choices for the rest of the season. Her performances in cross country races would not have been feasible without that adjustment. That self-understanding will pay off in long term seasons.”
Day 1: Canada’s Arendz Fifth, Top ten’s for Weekes and Hudak
The initial day of IPC World Cup Finals took area Tuesday, March 15, with a biathlon sprint.
In the women’s six k visually impaired biathlon sprint, Ukraine’s Oksana Shyshkova won in a time of twenty:55.8 soon after shooting clean. Also with perfect shooting was Mikhalina Lysova of Russia who completed in second total. Third area went to Russian skier Elena Remizova right after she missed two shots (1+one).
In the women’s six k standing biathlon sprint, Oleksandra Kononova of Ukraine positioned first in a time of twenty:53.2 right after two penalties (1+1). Russia’s Anna Milenina completed in 2nd, also with two penalties (2+). Russian teammate Ekaterina Rumyantseva rounded out the podium in third with three penalties (1+two).
Two Canadians competed in the six k standing biathlon sprint, including Emily Weekes and Brittany Hudak. With three misses (+3), Weekes finished ninth, although teammate Hudak finished just behind her in 10th place with 4 penalties (2+two).
In the women’s 6 k sitting biathlon sprint, the leading two spots went to Russia, with Irina Guliaeva coming in initial in 23:31.8, after missing one particular shot (one+). Her teammate Nadezhda Fedorova, came in 2nd soon after shooting clean. Third place went to Germany’s Anja Wicker after she missed a single shot (1+).
Masters finished sixth in a time of 25:47. after missing 3 shots (three+).
In the men’s 7.5 k visually impaired biathlon sprint, Russia’s Stanislav Chokhlaev emerged victorious, winning the occasion in a time of 20:36.9 right after best shooting. Also shooting clean was 2nd spot finisher, and Russian teammate Nikolay Polukhin. Third location for the men’s visually impaired event went to Ukraine’s Anatolii Kovalevskyi with one particular miss (1+).
American skier Jake Adicoff also competed in the event, racing to an 11th place following 4 misses (two+two).
In the men’s 7.five k standing biathlon sprint, Ukraine’s Ihor Reptyukh, raced to initial place in a time of 18:49.5 following ideal shooting. In second spot was Vladislav Lekomtsev of Russia with two misses (two+). France’s Benjamin Daviet rounded out the top 3, finishing third with 1 miss (+one).
Mark Arendz (Canadian Para-Nordic Ski Team) at final 12 months’s 2015 IPC World Cup Finals in Surnadal, Norway. This year, he positioned fifth in the 2016 Planet Cup Finals biathlon sprint. (Photo: IPC Nordic Skiing/Facebook)
Canada’s Mark Arendz competed in the men’s standing biathlon sprint, racing to fifth spot general with two misses (one+one).
“Going into these days I felt I had a good deal a lot more. The entire body felt prepared to go, but it didn’t materialize in these days’s race,” Arendz said in a Canadian Para Nordic Team press release.. “I was shut on the skiing, but I’m nonetheless finding myself needing to tweak my shooting. Two misses is two too a lot of for me appropriate now.”
In the men’s 7.five k sitting biathlon sprint, the best 3 spots all went to Russia, Grigory Murygin top the trio in first in 25:23.six with one miss (1+). Ivan Golubkov and Roman Petushkov the two shot clean and completed 2nd and third, respectively.
Soule was the sole U.S. skier in the event, racing to an 11th spot overall following five misses (3+2).
“[I] had a broken pole early in the sprint and I am grateful to staff Russia for their display of sportsmanship in supplying me one particular of their spare poles until a coach could get mine to me,” Soule wrote in an e mail.
Canada’s Derek Zaplotinsky also competed in the event, finishing in 15th general soon after shooting the very same as Soule.
Results: Females Day 1 | Guys Day one
Day two: Arendz, Weekes Fourth
The 2nd day of racing, Wednesday, March sixteen, brought athletes out for yet another biathlon occasion.
In the women’s twelve.5 k sitting biathlon, Russia’s Maria Iovleva took her initial victory of the week, finishing 1st in a time of 53:20.six with just a single miss (++one+). She led a Russian podium sweep with Guliaeva placing second with three misses (two++one+) and Svetlana Konovalova taking third with two misses (one++1+).
Masters finished seventh, after skiing eight penalty loops (2++4+two).
In the women’s 12.5 k visually impaired biathlon, Ukraine’s Shyshkova took her 2nd consecutive title of the week, finishing the course in a time of forty:43. after a single missed shot (1+++). Finishing in second after again behind Shyshkova was Russia’s Lysova right after skiing 4 penalties (two+one+one+). Third spot went to Vivian Hosch of Germany, who missed 3 (+3++).
In the women’s 12.5 k standing biathlon, Ukraine’s Kononova continued her winning streak, taking very first spot in a time of 43:15.two, following missing two shots (++one+one). 2nd place went to Russia’s Natalia Bratiuk, with one particular penalty (+++1). Rounding out the podium finishers for the day was Russia’s Milenina in third following missing 6 shots (+1+two+three).
Weekes completed just off the podium in fourth, with two misses (+++2).
In the men’s 15 k visually impaired biathlon, Russia’s Polukhin bested his prior 2nd spot finish for very first, winning the 15 k in a time of 43:31.3 with perfect shooting. In second area was Russian Nikita Povarov, who also shot clean. Ukrainian skier Iurii Utkin rounded out the podium in third, after two misses (one+one++).
In the men’s 15 k standing biathlon, France’s Daviet raced to the win in 44:12. following skiing three penalties (2++one+). Second spot went to Ivan Kodlozerov of Russia with a single miss (++1+). Russian teammate Lekomtsev completed third following missing four (+two+one+1).
Arendz completed just off the podium in fourth right after skiing 3 penalty loops (+one+one+one).
In his 2nd victory of the week, Murygin of Russia, raced to very first in the men’s 15 k sitting biathlon in 54:18.one with one penalty (+1++). Germany’s Martin Fleig completed 2nd right after missing four (two++2+). The third podium spot went to Poland’s Kamil Rosiek with two penalties (two+++).
Soule finished sixth, with seven penalties (4+1++two).
“Both biathlon races were challenging shooting races for me. I have struggled in the variety somewhat this yr and will be operating in the of season to return to some sound shooting fundamentals,” Soule wrote. “I am genuinely enthusiastic for the mass start off 20km marathon race [later that week] … This is a type of race that we do not get to do often and I an searching forward to the challenge.”
Canada’s Derek Zaplotinsky was the 2nd North American to compete in the occasion, finishing 11th with twelve penalties (two+4+three+3).
“Emily led the way for us again today, and exhibiting steady growth,” Canadian head coach Robin McKeever, explained of Weekes in a team press release. “The traditional sprint is a bit of a hard test for Emily, but she faired nicely today and skied strong.”
Benefits: Girls Day 2 | Men Day two
Day three: Masters Wins Sprint Adicoff, Weekes and Soule All Reach Respective Finals
Thursday marked the third-consecutive day of racing with a 1 k cross-nation sprint, where Masters continued her streak to finish the season with her fourth cross-country sprint win in as several races. She won the sprint in 2:twelve.68, besting Russia’s Iovleva in second and Germany’s Wicker in third.
2014 U.S. Paralympian Oksana Masters racing in Sochi, Russia. (Photo: U.S. Paralympics)
The women’s 1 k visually impaired cross country sprint went to Lysova of Russia, who won in three:31.34. Crossing right after Lysova in second was her Russian teammate Remizova. Ukraine’s Shyshkova took the last podium spot in placed third overall.
Thursday brought the third-straight win for Ukraine’s Kononova, who won the women’s one k standing cross-nation sprint in 3:28.44. Crossing behind her in second was her Ukrainian teammate Liudmyla Liashenko. Rounding out the prime 3 was Russia’s Milenina in third.
Weekes innovative to the ultimate the place she completed fifth. Her teammate, Hudak finished ninth overall.
3 Russians dominated the men’s 1 k visually impaired cross-nation sprint, with Vladimir Udaltcov taking first in 2:52.66. Chokhlaev positioned second, while Oleg Ponomarev took third.
Finishing just off the podium right after advancing to the ultimate was Adicoff of the U.S. in fourth.
The men’s one k standing cross-country sprint saw Russian Lekomtsev stand at the top of the event podium, ahead of Ukraine’s Vovchynskyi in second spot. Third location went to Japan’s Yoshihiro Nitta.
Arendz missed advancing to the ultimate by one particular spot, finishing seventh all round.
Competition in the men’s one k sitting cross-country sprint went to Ukrainian athlete Maksym Yarovyi, who crossed the last in 1st in a time of one:55.47. Russia’s Golubkov and Aleksandr Davidovich finished second and third, respectively.
Soule sophisticated to the last, where he positioned sixth general.
Canada’s Chris Klebl superior to the semifinal, where he placed 12th and Canadian teammate Zaplotinsky finished the day in 14th all round.
Results: Ladies Day 3 | Men Day 3
Day four: McKeever, Masters Take Marathon Titles Klebl 2nd
Soon after a day of rest, IPC Planet Cup athletes returned to the Vuokatti ski trails for Saturday’s marathon occasions.
Masters raced to 1st area in the women’s twenty k sitting marathon on Saturday, March 19, finishing the program in a time of 1:00:57..
Two Russians, Guliaeva and Fedorova completed behind Masters in second and third, respectively.
The women’s thirty k visually impaired marathon event went to Remizova of Russia, who won in 1:36:22.six. Her Russian teammate Lysova placed 2nd. Ukraine’s Shyshkova earned her fourth-straight podium of the week, right after placing third.
Ukraine’s Kononova rolled to her fourth-straight win of the week in the women’s thirty k standing cross-nation marathon. She won in one:39:09.6, even though Sweden’s Helene Ripa finished second and Russia’s Rumyantseva placed third.
Hudak raced to fifth in the women’s 30 k.
Canadian Brian McKeever soon after winning the cross-country mens 20 k visually impaired traditional race at the Sochi 2014 Paralympics in Sochi, Russia. It was McKeever’s 1st gold of the Video games and eighth in his profession. (Photograph Scott Grant/Canadian Paralympic Committee)
Canadian group veteran Brian McKeever took the victory in the men’s 30 k visually impaired cross-nation marathon, finishing the course in a time of one:twenty:43.. Behind him in 2nd was Russia’s Alexsander Artemov and France’s Thomas Clarion in third.
Adicoff was the second North American in the males’s visually impaired marathon in sixth total.
After winning Thursday’s standing sprint, Russian Lekomtsev took his 2nd win of the week in the men’s 30 k standing in one:17:52.8. The following closest competitor was his Russian teammate, Rushan Minnegulov in second. Third location went to France’s Daviet.
Arendz raced to eighth location in the 30 k standing marathon.
In the men’s twenty k sitting, Klebl narrowly out on a victory, placing 2nd behind Maksym Yarovyi of Ukraine. Yarovyi completed the twenty k program in a time of 52:31..
Soule was a single spot off the podium in fourth, behind Korea’s Eui Hyun Sin in third.
“The 20km was an fascinating race,” Soule wrote in an e-mail. “It was formatted as a mass commence, which is not how we generally race. Because of the way we change times for differing disabilities, it was not truly first across the line wins. While we do not really train particularly for this distance, the rapidly situations and relatively flat program produced it run considerably like a long personal race.”
Final results: Females Day 4 | Males Day 4
Day 5: Masters Defends Unbeaten Streak McKeever Wins Yet again
Athletes geared up for the ultimate Globe Cup race of the season on Sunday, March 20, with the men’s and women’s middle-distance cross-country races.
Masters displayed her strength with 1 ultimate win, topping the women’s 5 k sitting cross-nation in a time of 17:sixteen.three, for her third win of the week.
Finishing behind Masters in 2nd was Russia’s Fedorova and in third was Guliaeva, also of Russia.
In the women’s 7.5 k visually impaired cross-nation, Lysova won in a time of 20:02.. Second location went to her Russian teammate Remizova and Ukraine’s Olga Prylutska completed behind her in third location all round.
In the women’s 7.5 k standing cross-country, Russia’s Milenina won in 19:59.2. Ukraine’s Kononova finished in 2nd and Russian Rumyantseva positioned third.
McKeever secured his second win of the week, finishing 1st in the men’s ten k visually impaired cross-nation. McKeever finished the 10 k course in 22:31.1. Second location went to France’s Clarion.
“We put in a really excellent effort these days. Nish was on fire for the 1st five kilometres, and that moved us into a strong position,” McKeever said of his guidebook, Graham Nishikawa, in a team press release. “We had been in a position to build on that pace, and nobody was in a position to reply.
Adicoff as soon as yet again just missed the podium in fourth overall, finishing behind Russia’s Chokhlaev in third.
France’s Daviet took his 2nd win of the week in men’s ten k standing cross-nation. Behind Daviet in 2nd was Russia’s Minnegulov and Ukraine’s Reptyukh completed third.
Arendz placed eighth in the 10 k standing event.
In the ultimate men’s sitting cross-nation occasion, Russia’s Golubkov completed very first in a time of 23:47.4. Second location went to Ukraine’s Yarovyi and Korea’s Eui Hyun Sin took third.
Soule led the North Americans in that race in fifth, while Canada’s Klebl and Zaplotinsky completed behind him in 12th and 16th, respectively.
“Overall the occasion has been a good deal of fun,” Soule wrote. “I constantly take pleasure in coming to Vuokatti, a area where we have competed on a regular basis for my total 9-12 months job.”
Final results: Females Day 5 | Males Day five
Masters Wins World Cup Globe for Second-Straight Yr
Total, Masters won the season-extended World Cup title for the 2nd yr in a row in the women’s sitting cross-nation. She topped the rankings with 760 points, beating out Russia’s Maria Iovleva, who had 545 factors, and Russia’s Nadezhda Fedorova, who was third with 526 points.
Andy Soule was 30 points short of the cross-nation podium in fourth overall, with 390 factors to Russian winner Ivan Golubkov’s 689 points in first.
Emily Weekes positioned seventh in the women’s standing cross-country, McKeever was eighth in the men’s visually impaired.
Soule placed fifth general in the biathlon Planet Cup men’s sitting, while Masters was sixth in the women’s category. Weekes finished the season in ninth general in the biathlon World Cup, and Mark Arendz tied for ninth in the men’s standing biathlon.
World Cup rankings